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Anecdotes of the life of Richard Watson, bishop of Landaff : written by himself at different intervals, and revised in 1814 / published by his son, Richard Watson
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church, and it is our interest and our duty, on every principle ofreligion and common sense, to guard ourselves against hermachinations. There is far less danger to be apprehended byProtestants , in the present enlightened state of Europe , from theeffects of Popery in those countries where it is the establishedreligion, than in those where it is simply tolerated. The cabinetsof Paris and Madrid would execrate the enormities which an in-fatuated populace in Ireland would perpetuate on the score ofreligion without remorse. Every indulgence, and even a partici-pation of all civil rights might be granted with safety to theCatholics in England, because they are so far from being the ma-jority, that they do not constitute one-seventieth part of the in-habitants. But in Ireland , the proportion between Catholics andProtestants being widely different, the whole conduct of govern-ment should be different also. It is for want of seeing distinctionsof this kind that the patriots, some of whom are certainly well-meaning men, give you so much trouble. With respect to thecommerce of Ireland , it ought to be as much encouraged as ourown; and Ireland , in return, ought to contribute her full quotatowards the maintenance of the fleets and armies, and the expensesof the civil list, by which government is supported, and the freedomand trade of both countries is protected. This is the only liberalmaxim of government, by which a cordiality between the twokingdoms, can be secured on a permanent foundation. Thoughthe union, and other circumstances, have somewhat changed thesituation and the disposition of the bulk of the Irish Catholics ,yet, till they are more emancipated from the power of theirpriests, or till the priests themselves have more enlarged notions ofChristian charity, government must not be inattentive to them.